Container for consumer goods with smooth lid closing action

ABSTRACT

A container for consumer articles comprises a box portion, a lid and an inner frame within the box portion. The inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall; first and second inner frame side walls each depending along an inner frame fold line from the inner frame front wall; a first and a second cut lines in the first and second inner frame side walls. Each cut line intersects a respective inner frame fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The cut lines define a pair of locking tabs, each of which extends outwardly from the inner frame towards a respective side wall of the container and past an edge formed by the inner frame front wall with a respective inner frame side wall, and interacting with the lid portion of the container when the lid portion is between the open position and the closed position. Each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods and to ablank for forming such container, which find particular application forholding consumer goods, such as smoking articles (for examplecigarettes).

Smoking articles are typically packaged in rigid hinge-lid containersformed from folded laminar blanks. By way of example, elongate smokingarticles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are often sold in rigid hingedlid containers comprising a box portion and a lid connected to the boxportion about a hinge line extending across a back wall of thecontainer. The lid is pivotable about the hinge line between a closedposition and an open position. Such containers are typically constructedfrom one-piece laminar cardboard blanks.

It is known to provide one such container with a reinforcement framemounted within the box portion. One such inner frame comprises a framefront wall, a portion of which extends beyond an upper edge of a frontwall of the box portion. This improves the strength of the top portionof the container. Further, when the lid is in the closed position, theprovision of one such inner frame makes it easy for the lid front toalign with the box front wall. Thus, the container presents to the usera substantially flat front surface.

During use, the lid and the box portion of one such container maysometimes not align correctly, such that a small gap may become visibleat the front of the container between the lid and the box part. This issometimes referred to as “smiling” effect. The degree to which smilingoccurs usually increases with extended use of the package. In order toaddress the ‘smiling effect’, it has been proposed to provide tabsextending laterally from the inner frame front wall and adapted toengage the inner surface of the lid, such that it is easier to maintainthe lid in the closed position by frictional engagement. It is generallydesirable that the opening and closing of the container be as smooth aspossible, while at the same time preventing or limiting the occurrenceof lid “smiling”. In general, this is done with a view to providing theconsumer with a high quality product.

It is also known to package consumer goods such as smoking articles incontainers comprising an outer shell or sleeve and an inner slide ortray in which the consumer goods are housed, and which is slidablewithin the outer shell. To remove consumer goods from such containers, aconsumer slides the inner slide (or box) from an initial (closed)position within the outer shell (or lid) to an open position in whichthe inner slide projects outwardly from the outer shell, in order topartially expose an open end of the inner slide.

It has been proposed to provide such containers with retention means forpreventing removal of the inner slide from the outer shell and forlimiting the movement of the inner slide relative to the outer shell. Inparticular, slide-and-shell containers have been proposed that comprisetabs extending laterally from the slide portion and adapted to engagethe inner surface of the side walls of the outer shell, such that it iseasier to maintain the slide portion within the shell by frictionalengagement.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a container for consumer goodswith an improved opening and closing mechanism, by which the overallquality and reliability of the container can be increased. Inparticular, it would be desirable to provide an improved container forconsumer goods wherein the lid can be easily maintained in the closedposition by frictional engagement between surfaces of the container. Inaddition, it would be desirable to provide one such container and blankfor the making thereof that are easy to manufacture and assemble withoutrequiring any major modification of the conventional high speedpackaging methods and apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided acontainer for consumer articles, the container comprising a box portion;a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is moveable about the hinge linebetween an open position and a closed position; and an inner framereceived within the box portion. The inner frame comprises an innerframe front wall and first and second inner frame side walls eachdepending along an inner frame fold line from the inner frame frontwall. Further, the inner frame comprises a first cut line and a secondcut line in the first and second inner frame side walls, respectively,wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respectiveinner frame fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The firstand second cut lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each ofthe first and second locking tab extends outwardly from the inner frametowards a respective side wall of the container and past an edge formedby the inner frame front wall with a respective inner frame side wall,and interacts with the lid portion of the container when the lid portionis moved between the open position and the closed position. Each of thefirst and second cut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising atleast two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of theundulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a blank for an inner frame adapted to be received within a boxportion of a container for consumer articles, the container furthercomprising a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is moveable about thehinge line between an open position and a closed position. The blankcomprises a blank front panel for forming an inner frame front wall andfirst and second blank side panels for forming inner frame side walls,each of the first and second inner frame side panels depending along arespective fold line from the blank front panel. Further, the blankcomprises a first cut line and a second cut line in the first and secondinner frame side panels, respectively, wherein each of the first andsecond cut lines intersects a respective fold line at upper and lowerintersection points. The first and second cut lines define a first and asecond locking tab. Each of the first and second locking tabs extendsoutwardly from the inner frame and past an edge formed by inner framefront wall panel and a respective inner frame side panel when the firstand second inner frame side panels are folded about the respective foldlines. The first and second locking tabs are adapted to interact withthe lid portion of the container when the inner frame is received in theassembled container and the lid portion is moved between the openposition and the closed position. Each of the first and second cut linescomprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and atrough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion beingat least about 0.8 mm.

It will be appreciated that any features described with reference to oneaspect of the present invention are equally applicable to any otheraspect of the invention. Advantages described in relation to one aspectof the invention may also apply to another aspect of the invention.

In containers according to the invention, such as for example hinge lidcontainers, the inner frame comprises an inner frame front wall andfirst and second inner frame side walls each depending along an innerframe fold line from the inner frame front wall. Further, the innerframe comprises a first cut line and a second cut line in the first andsecond inner frame side walls, respectively. Each of the first andsecond cut lines intersects a respective inner frame fold line at upperand lower intersection points, such as to define a first and a secondlocking tabs. The locking tab extend outwardly from the inner frametowards the side walls of the container and interact with the lidportion of the container when the lid portion is moved between the openposition and the closed position. In contrast to known hinge lidcontainers, each of the first and second cut lines of the inner framecomprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaks and atrough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion beingat least about 0.8 mm. Thus the locking tabs have an undulated profile.

When the lid is moved between the open position and the closed position,the locking tabs frictionally engage the inner surface of the lid sidewalls and so they contribute to the force required for opening andclosing the lid. By virtue of the undulated profile of the locking tabs,as the lid is moved from the open position towards the closed position,the resistance to closing progressively increases as the lid gets closerto the closed position. The Applicant has found that, compared withknown containers, containers according to the present inventionsurprisingly provide for a smoother increase in the resistance toclosing. Further, while increasing overall from a minimum value to amaximum value as the angle between the lid back wall and the box backwall varies from about 90 degrees to 0 about degrees, the resistance toclosing increases in step-wise fashion with a succession of local maximaand minima. Without wishing to be bound to theory, this is understood tobe a consequence of the peaks and troughs of the undulated cut lines,and the resistance to closing increases because of a general increase inthe area of frictional engagement between the moving surfaces. Uponcooperation with the side walls of the lid portion, the peaks in theundulated portion may tend to deform slightly, and so the increase inthe resistance to closing is generally not linear.

The consumer advantageously perceives the opening and closing of the lidas particularly smooth. At the same time, because the locking tabsengage the inner surface of the lid more and more securely as when thisis moved into the closed position, safe and stable closure of thecontainer is ensured, and the occurrence of “smiling” is greatlyreduced, if not eliminated altogether.

It is easy to assemble a container provided with an inner frame inaccordance with the present invention, since the side panels of theinner frame blank only need to be folded about the respective fold linesfor the locking tabs to be available for cooperation with the lid, assoon as one such inner frame is received within the box portion of thecontainer.

The terms “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “side”,“left”, “right”, “lateral”, “top”, “bottom” and other terms used todescribe relative positions of the components of containers according tothe invention refer to the container in an upright position with an openend of the box portion at the top and the consumer goods accessible fromthe upper end at the front. The terms “side” and “lateral” are used withreference to side walls of the container when the container is viewedfrom the front in its upright position.

The terms “upwards” and “downwards” are used to describe a generaldirection along which an element or elements of a container according tothe invention extend and also refer to the container in an uprightposition with the open end of the box portion at the top. Thus, anelement, such as a line, extending downwards shall be understood toextend in a general direction from the top to the bottom of thecontainer. Similarly, an element extending upwards shall be understoodto extend in a general direction from the bottom to the top of thecontainer.

The term “longitudinal” refers to a direction from bottom to top of thecontainer or vice versa. The term “transverse” refers to a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The term “panel” is used throughout this specification to refer to aportion of the blank that is used to form a wall in the assembledcontainer. A panel may depend along one or more fold lines from one ormore other panels. The term “fold line” refers to a fold between twoadjacent panels. When forming the container, adjacent panels are foldedalong their common fold line, which may come to define an edge of thecontainer or of a portion thereof. In the assembled container a “wall”may be formed of one or of several overlying panels that are attached toeach other, for example by means of an adhesive. Further, a wall may beformed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels.

The term “hinge line” is used throughout this specification to refer toa line common to both the lid portion and the box portion of thecontainer, such that the lid portion is adapted to substantially pivotabout said line between a closed position and an open position.

The term “curved” is used in the present specification to describe anynon-straight line, including circular arc, parabolic arc, hyperbolicarc, elliptical arc. Further, the term “curved” is construed asencompassing a broken line, that is a line made up of straight linesthat join a number of given points taken in some specified order.

The term “undulated” is used in the present specification to describe aline that has a wavelike form. In one such line, it is possible toidentify at least a peak and a trough. In mathematics, by the term“peak” reference is made to a region around a local maximum on a curve,whereas by the term “trough” reference is made to a region around alocal minimum on a curve. By way of example, the highest point on a sinewave is referred to as the peak. The lowest point is called the trough.The peak of a sine wave and the trough of a sine wave are twice the sinewave's amplitude apart from each other.

In the present specification, such distance between a peak and a wave inthe undulated portion is referred to as “amplitude of undulation”. Thus,if in a container according to the present invention the undulatedportion is provided as a sine wave, the “amplitude of undulation”corresponds to twice the amplitude of the sine wave.

In the context of the present specification, the terms peak and troughare used to describe the shape of the “undulated” cut line defining alocking tab. In particular, such terms may be used to describe how far apoint on the undulated cut line is from a central portion of the innerframe front wall. Thus, a “peak” generally identifies a point of the cutline that is farther from the central portion of the inner frame frontwall than the adjacent points of the cut line above and below saidpoint. A “trough” generally identifies a point of the cut line that iscloser to the central portion of the inner frame front wall than theadjacent points of the cut line above and below said point. By way ofexample, in an undulated cut line that has “two peaks and a trough”, thedistance of a point of the cut line from the central portion of theinner frame front wall reaches two local maxima and a local minimum.

Containers according to the present invention comprise a box portion anda lid portion. The lid portion may depend along a hinge line from a backwall of the box portion, in the case of a hinge lid container.

The lid is moveable between an open position and a closed position. Forexample, in the case of a hinge lid container, the lid may be movableabout the hinge line between the open and the closed position, where thelid closes an upper access opening of the box portion.

Further, containers according to the present invention comprise an innerframe received within the box portion. The inner frame comprises aninner frame front wall and first and second inner frame side walls eachdepending along an inner frame fold line from the inner frame frontwall. Further, the inner frame comprises a first cut line and a secondcut line in the first and second inner frame side walls, respectively,wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersects a respectiveinner frame fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The firstand second cut lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each ofthe first and second locking tab extends outwardly from the inner frametowards a respective side wall of the container and past an edge formedby the inner frame front wall with a respective inner frame side wall,and interacts with the lid portion of the container when the lid portionis moved into the closed position.

Thus, each of the first and second locking tabs may extend effectivelyfrom the inner frame front wall, when the inner frame fold linesubstantially coincides with the edge formed by the inner frame frontwall with a respective inner frame side walls. As an alternative, eachof the first and second locking tabs may extend effectively from arespective inner frame side wall, when the inner frame fold line extendsubstantially in its entirety along an inner frame side wall.

Each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portioncomprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacentpeaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

Preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portionis at least about 1 mm. More preferably, the distance between adjacentpeaks of the undulated portion is at least about 1.5 mm.

In addition, or as an alternative, the distance between adjacent peaksof the undulated portion is preferably less than about 40 mm. Morepreferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portionis less than about 7 mm. Even more preferably, the distance betweenadjacent peaks of the undulated portion is less than about 3 mm.

In preferred embodiments, the distance between adjacent peaks of theundulated portion is from about 0.8 mm to about 40 mm, more preferablyfrom about 1 mm to about 7 mm, even more preferably from 0.8 mm to 3 mm.

An amplitude of undulation in the undulated portion is preferably atleast about 0.2 mm, more preferably at least about 0.3 mm. In addition,or as an alternative, the amplitude of undulation in the undulatedportion is preferably less than about 1.2 mm, more preferably less thanabout 0.8 mm.

In preferred embodiments, the amplitude of undulation in the undulatedportion is from about 0.2 mm to about 1.2 mm, more preferably from about0.3 mm to about 0.8 mm.

A radius of curvature of each peak and trough in the undulated portionwill depend, in general, on the distance between adjacent peaks as wellas on the amplitude of undulation. In general, in containers accordingto the present invention the radius of curvature of each peak and troughin the undulated portion is preferably at least about 1.5 mm.

Preferably, each locking tab tapers towards an upper end of therespective cut line, and the tangent to each of the first and second cutlines at the upper intersection points forms, with the respective innerframe fold line, an angle of at least about 5 degrees. In addition, thetangent to each of the first and second cut lines at the upperintersection points preferably forms, with the respective inner frameside wall fold line, an angle of at less than about 30 degrees.

In preferred embodiments, each cut line comprises a top slanted portionextending outwardly and downwardly from the upper intersection point.The top slanted portion has preferably a length of at least about 0.5mm.

Preferably, each cut line comprises a bottom ramp portion extendingoutwardly and upwardly from the lower intersection point. The bottomramp portion is preferably defined by a straight line, an arc or acombination of a straight line and an arc.

In addition, the undulated portion is preferably comprised between thetop slanted portion and the bottom ramp portion.

Preferably, the distance between the upper and lower intersection pointsas measured along a respective inner frame side wall fold line is atleast about 10 mm. In addition, or as an alternative, the distancebetween the upper and lower intersection points as measured along arespective inner frame side wall fold line is less than about 20 mm.

In any of the embodiments described above, the container is preferablyfilled with elongate smoking articles, such as, for example, cigarettes,cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that through appropriatechoices of the dimensions, containers according to the invention may bedesigned for different numbers of conventional size, king size,super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes. However, containers inaccordance with the present invention can also be used with a variety ofconsumer goods other than smoking articles.

Containers according to the present invention can conveniently bemanufactured by folding laminar blanks made from any suitable materialsincluding, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, orcombinations thereof. Preferably, the container is formed from a foldedlaminar cardboard blank. Preferably, the cardboard has a weight ofbetween about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 grams per squaremetre. In more detail, containers according to the invention willtypically be assembled in the conventional way using standardmanufacturing equipment, by folding one or more laminar blanks aroundthe consumer articles and sealing overlying panels of the laminar blankstogether in order to retain the container in the assembled shape. Thismay be achieved using conventional glues or adhesives.

Containers according to the invention may comprise box portions in theshape of a rectangular parallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinaland right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the box portion maycomprise one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverseedges, bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, orcombinations thereof. For example, the container according to theinvention may comprise, without limitation:

-   -   one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the front        wall, and/or one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges        on the back wall.    -   one or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front        wall, and/or one or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on        the back wall.    -   one longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge        on the front wall, and/or one transverse rounded edge and one        transverse bevelled edge on the back wall.    -   one or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front        wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on        the front wall.    -   two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall        or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side        wall.

Where the container comprises one or more rounded edges and is made fromone or more laminar blanks, preferably the blanks comprise three, four,five, six or seven scoring lines or creasing lines to form each roundededge in the assembled container. The scoring lines or creasing lines maybe either on the inside of the container or on the outside of thecontainer. Preferably, the scoring lines or creasing lines are spacedfrom each other by between about 0.3 mm and 4 mm.

Preferably, the spacing of the creasing lines or scoring lines is afunction of the thickness of the laminar blank. Preferably, the spacingbetween the creasing lines or scoring lines is between about 0.5 andabout 4 times larger than the thickness of the laminar blank.

Where the box portion of the container comprises one or more bevellededge, preferably the bevelled edge has a width of between about 1 mm andabout 10 mm, preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively,the container may comprise a double bevel formed by three parallelcreasing or scoring lines that are spaced such that two distinct bevelsare formed on the edge of the container.

Where the box portion of the container comprises a bevelled edge and ismade from one or more laminar blanks, the bevel may be formed by twoparallel creasing lines or scoring lines in the laminar blank. Thecreasing lines or scoring lines may be arranged symmetrically to theedge between a first wall and a second wall. Alternatively, the creasinglines or scoring lines may be arranged asymmetrically to the edgebetween the first wall and the second wall, such that the bevel reachesfurther into the first wall of the container than into the second wallof the container.

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions thereof, containersaccording to the invention may be designed to hold different totalnumbers of smoking articles, or different arrangements of smokingarticles. For example, through an appropriate choice of the dimensionsthereof, containers according to the invention may be designed to hold atotal of between ten and twenty smoking articles.

The smoking articles in the container may be arranged in differentcollations, depending on the total number of smoking articles. Forexample, the smoking articles may be arranged in a single row of six,seven, eight, nine or ten. Alternatively, the smoking articles may bearranged in two or more rows. The two or more rows may contain the samenumber of smoking articles. For example, the smoking articles may bearranged in: two rows of five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten; threerows of five or seven; or four rows of four, five or six. Alternatively,the two or more rows may include at least two rows containing differentnumber of smoking articles to each other. For example, the smokingarticles may be arranged in: a row of five and a row of six (5-6); a rowof six and a row of seven (6-7); a row of seven and a row of eight(7-8); a middle row of five and two outer rows of six (6-5-6); a middlerow of five and two outer rows of seven (7-5-7); a middle row of six andtwo outer rows of five (5-6-5); a middle row of six and two outer rowsof seven (7-6-7); a middle row of seven and two outer rows of six(6-7-6); a middle row of nine and two outer rows of eight (8-9-8); or amiddle row of six with one outer row of five and one outer row of seven(5-6-7).

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articlesof the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition,both filterless smoking articles and smoking articles with variousfilter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differinglength (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter(for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). In addition, thesmoking articles may differ in strength of taste, resistance to draw andtotal particulate matter delivery. Preferably, the dimensions of thecontainer are adapted to the length of the smoking articles, and thecollation of the smoking articles. Typically, the outer dimensions ofthe container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm larger than thedimensions of the group or groups of smoking articles housed inside thecontainer.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height ofbetween about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height ofbetween about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measuredfrom the top wall to the bottom wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width ofbetween about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of betweenabout 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from oneside wall to the other side wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth ofbetween about 6 mm and about 100 mm, more preferably a depth of betweenabout 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the frontwall to the back wall of the container (comprising the hinge between boxand lid).

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of thecontainer is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, morepreferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferablybetween about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of thecontainer is between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, more preferablybetween about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferably between about 2to 1 and 3 to 1.

Containers according to the invention may be shrink-wrapped or otherwiseover wrapped with a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high orlow density polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene,polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof in aconventional manner. Where containers according to the invention areover wrapped, the over wrapper may include one or more a tear tapes. Inaddition, the over wrapper may be printed with images, consumerinformation or other data. The additional outer wrapper mayadvantageously protect the surface of the container for example againstabrasion during handling.

The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may beprinted, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufactureror brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information andindicia.

A container according to the invention may be formed from two laminarblanks, one for forming the box portion and the lid portion, and one forforming the inner frame to be received within the box portion. Forexample, one laminar blank may be for forming a hinge lid container andone for the inner frame to be received within the hinge lid box portion.The inner frame blank comprises a blank front panel for forming an innerframe front wall and first and second blank side panels for forminginner frame side walls, each of the first and second inner frame sidepanels depending along a respective fold line from the blank frontpanel. Further, the inner frame blank comprises a first cut line and asecond cut line in the first and second inner frame side panels,respectively, wherein each of the first and second cut lines intersectsa respective fold line at upper and lower intersection points. The firstand second cut lines define a first and a second locking tab. Each ofthe first and second locking tabs extend outwardly from the inner frameand past an edge formed by inner frame front wall panel and a respectiveinner frame side panel the when the first and second inner frame sidepanels are folded about the respective fold lines. The first and secondlocking tabs are adapted to interact with the lid portion of thecontainer when the inner frame is received in the assembled containerand the lid portion is moved between the open position and the closedposition. Each of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulatedportion comprising at least two peaks and a trough. A distance betweenadjacent peaks of the undulated portion is at least about 0.8 mm.Preferably, the distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portionis less than about 40 mm.

Whilst aspects of the present invention have been described withparticular reference to hinge lid containers, the skilled reader willappreciate that the same inventive concepts may find application inother types of containers for consumer articles comprising a box portionand a lid, such as slide-and-shell containers. In a such slide-and-shellcontainer, the shell (lid portion) is moveable relative to the slide(box portion) between an open position and a closed position, whereinthe slide comprises first and second side walls. One such container istypically not provided with a reinforcement inner frame. Thus, one suchcontainer may comprise a first cut line and a second cut line in thefirst and second slide side walls, respectively, wherein each of thefirst and second cut lines intersects a respective side fold line atupper and lower intersection points. The first and second cut lines thusdefine a first and a second locking tab, wherein each of the first andsecond locking tab extend outwardly from the slide side walls towards arespective side wall of the shell and interact with the shell when theshell is moved between the open position and the closed position. Eachof the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portioncomprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacentpeaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.

Alternatively, a slide-and-shell container may be provided with an innerframe as described above, wherein first and second locking tab extendingoutwardly from the inner frame front wall or the inner frame side wallsand towards side walls of the shell interact with the shell when theshell is moved between the open position and the closed position.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a blank for forming the inner frame ofa container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail view, on a an enlarged scale, of a locking tab of theinner frame of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the qualitative trend of the resistanceto close of the lid of a container according to the invention as afunction of the angle between the lid back wall and the box back wall.

The blank 100 shown in FIG. 1 is for forming an inner frame of acontainer in accordance with the present invention. One such container(not shown) is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped and comprises alower box portion an upper lid portion that is hinged to the lower boxportion along a hinge line extending along a back wall of the container.The box portion comprises a front wall, a back wall, two side wallsextending between the front wall and the back wall, and a bottom wall.The lid portion has a front wall, a left side wall, a right side wall, aback wall and a top wall. The back wall and the top wall of the lid arejoined at top back edge. When the container is closed, the free edges ofthe walls of the lid portion abut the free edges of the correspondingwalls of the box portion along a line of abutment. In the closedposition, the walls of the lid portion therefore form extensions of thecorresponding walls of the box portion to define the walls of thecontainer.

The inner frame 100 comprises an inner frame front wall 102 and a firstand a second inner frame side walls 104, 106, each of which dependsalong a respective inner frame fold line 108, 110 from the inner framefront wall 102.

A first cut line 112 and a second cut line 114 are formed in the firstand second inner frame side walls 104, 106, respectively. Each of thefirst and second cut lines 112, 114 intersects a respective inner framefold line 108, 110 at upper and lower intersection points 116, 118. Thedistance between the upper and lower intersection points 116, 118 asmeasured along a respective inner frame side wall fold line is about 15mm.

The first and second cut lines 112, 114 define a first and a secondlocking tab 120, 122. Each of the locking tabs 120, 122 extendsoutwardly from the inner frame front wall 102 such that, when the blank100 is folded to form the inner frame and is inserted in the box portionof an assembled hinge lid container, each of the tabs 120, 122 extendspast an edge of the inner frame formed by the inner frame front wall 102with a respective inner frame side wall 104, 106. When the lid of theassembled container is moved between the open position and the closedposition, the locking tabs 120, 122 interact with the lid portion of theassembled container.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the first and second cut lines 112,114 comprises an undulated portion 124, 126 comprising peaks 128 andtroughs 130. The distance D between adjacent peaks 128 in the undulatedportion 124, 126 is about 2 mm. Each locking tab 120, 122 tapers towardsan upper end of the respective cut line 112, 114, and the tangent toeach of the first and second cut lines at the upper intersection points116, 118 forms, with the respective inner frame fold line 108, 110 anangle α of about 20 degrees.

Each cut line 112,114 comprises a top slanted portion 132, 134 extendingoutwardly and downwardly from the upper intersection point 116. The topslanted portion has a length L of about 0.7 mm. Further, each cut line112, 114 comprises a bottom ramp portion 136, 138 extending outwardlyand upwardly from the lower intersection point 118. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom ramp portion 136, 138 is defined by an arc.The undulated portion 124, 126 is comprised between the top slantedportion 132, 134 and the bottom ramp portion 136, 138.

FIG. 3 illustrates how the resistance to close of the lid of a containeraccording to the invention comprising an inner frame 100 as describedabove varies as a function of the angle between the lid back wall andthe box back wall. As the lid is moved between the open position and theclosed position, the locking tabs 120, 122 frictionally engage the innersurface of the lid side walls and thus contribute to the force requiredfor opening and closing the lid. In particular, as the lid is moved fromthe open position towards the closed position, the resistance to closingprogressively increases as the lid approaches the closed position. Asshown in FIG. 3, while increasing overall from a minimum value to amaximum value as the angle between the lid back wall and the box backwall varies from about 90 degrees to 0 about degrees, the resistance toclosing oscillates with a succession of local maxima and minima. Withoutwishing to be bound to theory, this is understood to be a consequence ofthe peaks 128 and troughs 130 of the undulated cut lines 112, 114.

1. A container for consumer articles, the container comprising: a boxportion; a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is moveable relative tothe box portion between an open position and a closed position; and aninner frame received within the box portion, wherein the inner framecomprises: an inner frame front wall; first and second inner frame sidewalls each depending along an inner frame fold line from the inner framefront wall; a first cut line and a second cut line in the first andsecond inner frame side walls, respectively, wherein each of the firstand second cut lines intersects a respective inner frame fold line atupper and lower intersection points; the first and second cut linesdefining a first and a second locking tab; each of the first and secondlocking tab extending outwardly from the inner frame towards arespective side wall of the container and past an edge formed by theinner frame front wall with a respective inner frame side wall, andinteracting with the lid portion of the container when the lid portionis moved between the open position and the closed position; and whereineach of the first and second cut lines comprises an undulated portioncomprising at least two peaks and a trough, a distance between adjacentpeaks of the undulated portion being at least about 0.8 mm.
 2. Acontainer according to claim 1, wherein distance between adjacent peaksof the undulated portion is less than about 40 mm.
 3. A containeraccording to claim 1, wherein each locking tab tapers towards an upperend of the respective cut line, and the tangent to each of the first andsecond cut lines at the upper intersection points forms, with therespective inner frame fold line, an angle of at least about 5 degrees.4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the tangent to each of thefirst and second cut lines at the upper intersection points forms, withthe respective inner frame side wall fold line, an angle of at less thanabout 30 degrees.
 5. A container according to claim 1, wherein each cutline comprises a top slanted portion extending outwardly and downwardlyfrom the upper intersection point.
 6. A container according to claim 5,wherein the top slanted portion has a length of at least about 0.5 mm.7. A container according to claim 1, wherein each cut line comprises abottom ramp portion extending outwardly and upwardly from the lowerintersection point.
 8. A container according to claim 7, wherein thebottom ramp portion is defined by a straight line, an arc or acombination of a straight line and an arc.
 9. A container according toclaim 7, wherein the undulated portion is comprised between the topslanted portion and the bottom ramp portion.
 10. A container accordingto claim 1, wherein the distance between the upper and lowerintersection points as measured along a respective inner frame side wallfold line is at least about 10 mm.
 11. A container according to claim 1,wherein the distance between the upper and lower intersection points asmeasured along a respective inner frame side wall fold line is less thanabout 20 mm.
 12. A blank for an inner frame adapted to be receivedwithin a box portion of a container for consumer articles, the containerfurther comprising a lid portion, wherein the lid portion is moveableabout the hinge line between an open position and a closed position; theblank comprising: a blank front panel for forming an inner frame frontwall and first and second blank side panels for forming inner frame sidewalls, each of the first and second inner frame side panels dependingalong a respective fold line from the blank front panel; a first cutline and a second cut line in the first and second inner frame sidepanels, respectively, wherein each of the first and second cut linesintersects a respective fold line at upper and lower intersectionpoints; the first and second cut lines defining a first and a secondlocking tab; each of the first and second locking tabs extendingoutwardly from the inner frame and past an edge formed by inner framefront wall panel and a respective inner frame side panel the when thefirst and second inner frame side panels are folded about the respectivefold lines; the first and second locking tabs being adapted to interactwith the lid portion of the container when the inner frame is receivedin the assembled container and the lid portion is moved between the openposition and the closed position; wherein each of the first and secondcut lines comprises an undulated portion comprising at least two peaksand a trough, a distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portionbeing at least about 0.8 mm.
 13. A blank according to claim 12, whereinthe distance between adjacent peaks of the undulated portion is lessthan about 40 mm.
 14. A blank according to claim 12, wherein eachlocking tab tapers towards an upper end of the respective cut line, andthe tangent to each of the first and second cut lines at the upperintersection points forms, with the respective inner frame fold line, anangle of at least about 5 degrees.
 15. A blank according to claim 14,wherein the tangent to each of the first and second cut lines at theupper intersection points forms, with the respective inner frame sidewall fold line, an angle of at less than about 30 degrees.